Kerala, lovingly called "God’s own country" is truly a land of eternal bliss and a tropical Eden with the mesmerizing beauty of its sun bathed golden seashores edged with abundant coconut trees, the zigzag rocky terrain of the Western Ghats, straggling plantations and paddy fields, the cerulean lagoons and the bountiful rivers and mighty waterfalls, fascinating bio-diversity of its flora and fauna. The age-old heritage and tradition, bright festivals and dances, and elating boat races are among Kerala's prime attractions.
Geography of Kerala
Location and Area
-Kerala is located on the southernmost tip of India and embraces the coast of Arabian Sea on the west and is bounded by the Western Ghats in the east. This South Indian state stretches from north to south along the coast line of 580 kms with an approximate breadth of 35 to 120 kms. Lying within east longitudes 74 degree 52' and 72 degree 22' and north latitudes 8 degree 18' and 12 degree 48' this idyllic land of pleasing beauty embraces1.18 % area of the country of India. Kerala also encloses Mahé, Pondicherry’s coastal exclave. With 14 districts and other cities the total area of Kerala is 38, 863 sq km.Climate
- The coastal state of Keralalying on the Southwestern tip of India has commonly been called the tropical paradise of India. Bounded by Arabian Sea at one side and the Western Ghats on the other, the beautiful land with stunning beauty has an equable and tropical climate offering a pleasing atmosphere throughout the entire year. This coastal state has hot and humid climate during April-May and pleasant, cold climate in December-January. Summer extends from the month of April to June when the temperature reaches to a maximum of 33 degrees centigrade. Summer is followed by South West Monsoon that starts pouring in the month of June and continues till September. With the arrival of winter there is certain drop in the temperature and you can feel a slight chill due to the cold wind. Winter in Kerala lasts from from November to January or February.- The Western Ghats- The mighty Western Ghats, a sequence of Rocky Mountains,edges the eastern boundary of Kerala and ascends roughly upto 1,500 m above sea level with the lofty peaks rising upto 2,500 m.
- Hill and Valleys- The narrow piece of land on the eastern border, close to the Western Ghats, encompasses precipitous hills, deep valleys and gorges which are covered with thick woods. Almost all the rivers of the state originate here.
- Midland Plains- These plains which lie along central Kerala, are located in the west of the hills and mountains.
- Coastal Belt-The narrow belt of coastal land along the Arabian Sea is characterized by paddy fields, rows of coconut trees and serene, and backwaters internally linked by rivers and inland waterways.
- Backwaters and Rivers-The Backwaters consists of lakes and inlets of oceans which straggle out in the land. The largest backwater is the Vembanad Lake which stretches out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin Port. There are 49 river/lakes flowing in the state of Keralaamong them 46 flows to the west and the other 3 flow to the east. They evolve from Western Ghats and rush towards the west into the Arabian Sea.
